exposed to digital tools through explicit teaching
allowed to choose appropriate tools to present research
evaluate why the chosen tools would be effective
collaborate within group to present a variety
SEL skills: negotiate, co-operate, team skills
Big Question: What will St Thomas’s be like in 100 years?
In January 1909 four Sisters of Mercy arrived in Mareeba to take up residence in the newly built convent and to begin the task of Catholic education in the district. The school, which also served as a church, was then named Good Counsel. It retained this name until the early 1950’s when it was renamed St. Thomas’s after the patron of the parish, St. Thomas of Villanova. Initial enrolment was around 50 students, but this has steadily increased with large growth, specifically in the 1920’s and 1960’s.
Over the past 100 years St Thomas of Villanova Parish School has seen many changes, including:
o 1911-1912 a new wooden church
o 1931 fire destroyed the church
o 1937 current church was erected
o 1940’s shared campus for entire school population of Mareeba
o 1950’s additional buildings
o 1965 new classrooms and principal’s office
o 1966 commencement of the first lay teacher
o 1974 original school building demolished and a staffroom was built
Since then many additional changes have been made. A library, more classrooms and a preschool were built. The preschool became possible when the parish purchased the convent and land from the Sisters of Mercy.
St. Thomas’s has become very much a part of the life of the Mareeba district. It has had generous support not only of the parents but also of the wider community. And it is this support together with personal involvement of parents that will ensure that the project begun here in 1909 will continue to flourish.
Big Question: What will St Thomas’s be like in 100 years?
In January 1909 four Sisters of Mercy arrived in Mareeba to take up residence in the newly built convent and to begin the task of Catholic education in the district. The school, which also served as a church, was then named Good Counsel. It retained this name until the early 1950’s when it was renamed St. Thomas’s after the patron of the parish, St. Thomas of Villanova. Initial enrolment was around 50 students, but this has steadily increased with large growth, specifically in the 1920’s and 1960’s.
Over the past 100 years St Thomas of Villanova Parish School has seen many changes, including:
o 1911-1912 a new wooden church
o 1931 fire destroyed the church
o 1937 current church was erected
o 1940’s shared campus for entire school population of Mareeba
o 1950’s additional buildings
o 1965 new classrooms and principal’s office
o 1966 commencement of the first lay teacher
o 1974 original school building demolished and a staffroom was built
Since then many additional changes have been made. A library, more classrooms and a preschool were built. The preschool became possible when the parish purchased the convent and land from the Sisters of Mercy.
St. Thomas’s has become very much a part of the life of the Mareeba district. It has had generous support not only of the parents but also of the wider community. And it is this support together with personal involvement of parents that will ensure that the project begun here in 1909 will continue to flourish.